Manchester United have made an approach for Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata, according to sources close to the player.
Jose Mourinho handed the 24-year-old his first team debut at the Santiago Bernabeu back in 2010 and appears interested in a summer reunion with the Spain international.
The Portuguese is on the lookout for at least one striker after Zlatan Ibrahimovic tore his anterior cruciate ligament last month.
And MEN Sport understands that United have made contact with Morata’s camp – although it is ‘early days’ at this stage.
With Morata having reached three Champions League finals in four seasons, the Reds’ return to Europe’s premier competition will prove crucial.
Beating Ajax in the Europa League final, and qualifying for the Champions League, will boost Mourinho’s pursuits of Morata, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Jan Oblak .
Morata only rejoined Madrid on a five-year deal last summer after two seasons at Juventus, but has found regular starts hard to come by.
The Spaniard has only made three late substitute appearances in the Champions League knockout stages as Los Blancos look to become the first side to retain the trophy.
Although Morata has only started 18 games under Zinedine Zidane, he has still managed 20 goals in 40 appearances and only Cristiano Ronaldo has scored more goals for Madrid this season.
Morata returned to the Bernabeu a more complete player after leaving his family and friends in Madrid for the first time in 2014.
The Spaniard was a big hit in Turin – and scored five goals in Juventus’ run to the Champions League final in 2015.
But Morata always saw it as his destiny to return to the Bernabeu and fought back the tears when he was presented to the media following his £25m move last summer.
Morata has also been linked with a move to Chelsea – with Antonio Conte having convinced him to join Juventus before taking over as Italy manager.
The 24-year-old is fond of London and visited Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park with his fiancée, Alice Campello, last December.
Morata has won 11 trophies, including three league titles and the Champions League, and scored 58 goals since Mourinho handed him his debut.
